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Citizenship Minister, Alan Tudge has used a speech to UK leaders in London to flag a further tightening of visas that grant permanent residency in Australia, claiming too many are granted to migrants before they ever step foot in the country.

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Whether you’ve moved to Australia for good, or are working Down Under and plan to head back to Blighty one day, you may still need to transfer funds to the UK. This could be to transfer rental income from a property, or it might be to maintain a home in the UK or send money to a child or grandchild studying in the UK. Whatever your reason for sending money back to the UK, using a foreign exchange specialist rather than your high street bank could make a significant difference to the amount of sterling that arrives in your account.

This is not only because you will have the benefit of great exchange rates and low transfer fees, but also you will be provided with expert market guidance and specialist services to help you make the most of your money.

A specialist can talk you through the transfer process and their in-depth market knowledge can help you mitigate the risk of the unpredictable foreign exchange market and potentially protect against rate volatility.

Another aspect to consider, particularly if you’re making regular payments to and from the UK, is how the transfers take place. As well as dealing with foreign exchange specialists over the phone, you should be able to make transfers online and even set up automated regular payments to cover, for example, a mortgage payment or property maintenance costs. Once you understand your alternatives, it becomes much easier to make the most of your money when repatriating funds.

moneycorp is a foreign exchange specialist company, offering great rates and a range of services delivered online and over the phone.

Get started with moneycorp
It's free to register for a moneycorp account and you can do this online at:
https://online.moneycorp.com/AccountOpening/Default#/stage_1?rp=10168283

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I just received a mail shot today that Tiger are doing their $1 return tickets, we have taken advantage of this in the past. At present I think they have Sydney to Melbourne for $83 one way or $84 return.

‘It’s a great time for backpackers to travel up or down the coast as well.

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I noticed that the Regional Australia Institute published a report this week stating that over 151 regional government areas around Australia had seen a decrease in Australian born residents whilst those born overseas increased.

I haven’t had chance to read the full report (I’ve added a link to it below) but I do wonder if the reason is

a) The locals realise there is no work available so move in search of employment

b) Overseas migrants don’t care where they live as long as they get the golden ticket and arrive with rose tinted spectacles.

c) That there really are plenty of opportunities in regional areas

According to the RAI

Population loss means there are still labour shortages in rural Australia. This loss requires new strategies to enable migration to better meet local labour needs.

One way to tackle this issue is through locally-led migration strategies. Support for these projects across rural Australia is key to future population and economic growth in small towns.

Supported by literature and analysis from the Regional Australia Institute (RAI), this policy paper is based on discussions between regional settlement representatives at Migration Nation, a RAI roundtable event held at Old Parliament House on 1 November 2017 as well as consultations with governments and community groups.

Read the full paper here. http://www.regionalaustralia.org.au/home/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/180510-The-Regional-Australia-Institute-2018-The-missing-workers_policy-paper_FINAL-1.pdf

If you are looking at moving to rural Australia this latest video may be of interest.

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I know a couple of members were discussing importing pet food for their cats or dogs in to Australia so I thought I would ask @PSS International Removals professionals on Shipping goods. Liam kindly provided me with a link to the eligible criteria which is below.

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We are seeking an experienced engineer to work as a sub contractor in our busy Perth workshop
You will have a checkable work history as a domestic appliance or white goods engineer with a manufacturer or recognised service provider and have the ability to work to a consistently high standard. You must have a PR visa and be in Perth or due to arrive shortly
For more information send me a private message

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The period just before the end of the financial year is a great time to take stock. It allows you not only to look at what you have achieved throughout the year, but also see whether any fine-tuning can (or should) be made. This fine-tuning may help to, for example, minimise your tax liabilities and make the most

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I would like to take the opportunity to formally introduce our new Mortgage Broker, @Carol from Vista Financial

Carol is an open, honest and personable professional who takes the time to listen, understand and explain things to you in simple terms. Carol is fiercely and passionately dedicated to her clients and believes the only kind of true Customer Service is exceptional Customer Service and she hopes that one day this will become the norm, not the exception. She has come from a private banking background and brings a variety of knowledge with her.

Vista Financial Services are delighted to welcome Carol on board and likewise Carol is excited at the opportunity to be able to offer a wider range of solutions as a Finance/Mortgage Broker.

If anyone would like refreshingly honest and down to earth advice and assistance with your first/next purchase, please contact Carol today on carol@vistafs.com.au or +61 8 8381 7177.

You can also learn more about Carol by adding her on LinkedIn and more information will be available on our website soon.

‘Christmas in May’ is the unofficial catchphrase of this year’s Federal Budget (given a Federal election is on the horizon), but officially it’s being referred to by the Government as a ‘Plan for a Stronger Economy’.

The 2018-19 Federal Budget, delivered on 8 May 2018 by Treasurer Scott Morrison, saw many proposed measures announced. These proposed measures carry on with the main principles that underpinned last year’s Federal Budget, e.g. stronger growth, guaranteeing the essentials and living within our means.

Below is an overview of some of the main proposed measures that may be relevant to you and your personal finances.

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Melbourne has recorded the largest and fastest growth of the major cities in 12 months, ballooning by more than 125,000.

The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics figures released on Tuesday show that together, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane accounted for in excess of 70 per cent of Australia's population growth in 2016-17.

For the first time on record, Sydney grew by more than 100,000 to 5.1 million, while Darwin, Adelaide and Perth only grew each at one per cent or less.

Net overseas migration contributed 80,000 to Melbourne's growth last year and 84,700 in Sydney.

But unlike Melbourne, the harbour city experienced a net internal migration loss, with 18,100 more people leaving Sydney for other parts of the country than arrived.

ABS demography director Anthony Grubb said the estimates are the first to include data on what is driving population change, such as through internal and overseas migration.

"It is now possible to not only see how much population is changing in an area, but to understand why this change is occurring," he said.

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This timeline and info thread is for those who have lodged their applications post 1st July,2012, under the new skillselect scheme.

The Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186) is for skilled workers from outside Australia or skilled temporary residents who currently live and work in Australia. It is part of the permanent Employer Sponsored visa program.

To apply for this visa, you must:

be nominated by an approved employer

be younger than 50 years of age

meet the skills and qualifications requirements

meet English language requirements.

If you are nominated to apply for this visa, you must lodge your application online within six months of the date the nomination was approved.

When you apply, you must select one of the visa’s three streams.

Choose the Temporary Residence Transition stream if you are a subclass 457 visa holder who has worked for your employer for two years in the nominated occupation and your employer wants to offer you a permanent position in that occupation.

Choose the Direct Entry stream if you have never, or only briefly, worked in the Australian labour market and have not held a subclass 457 visa for the last two years, or if you are applying directly from outside Australia.

Choose the Agreement stream if you are being sponsored by an employer through a tailored and negotiated labour agreement or regional migration agreement.

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We need an a live in au pair for 2-3 weeks from around the 8th May when I will be overseas and my husband works long hours. Based in stunning Avoca Beach on the Central Coast, NSW. Kids are used to babysitters and have had an au pair before. Work is pretty routine, mainly being 'mum' to the kids (ages 8 and 10), getting them to school on time and meeting them out of school, supervising homework and getting them to after school activities. Day times are mainly free time (9.30 till 3pm) and weekends are free.

Can pay $200 per week with full board and use of a car.

I'm keen for a young person to apply as the kids are fun and energetic - they love kicking a ball around and playing games, hide and seek etc. Need basic household skills ie can shop and cook a family meal, and use a vacuum etc I will screen closely anyone that's interested and must have excellent references and be fluent English speaking.

pm me if interested.

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Australia Migration Visas being refused
I’ve heard from 5 members recently who have been refused their visa. One member actually arrived in Australia and got turned back at the airport along with a 3 year ban, whilst the remainder of their family remain in Australia.

The ones who have been refused have all applied themselves, some have even posted on here asking for help but ignored the advice given.

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Switching from earning an income through employment to generating an income in retirement can require some careful planning. Often income will come from many different sources and the combination that works for you will depend on your individual circumstances.

It pays to seek financial advice to help determine which sources of income will best meet your needs and living costs and support you through your retirement.

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Bringing up the rear, the Aussie dollar fare worst in the last week of Q1 with an average loss of 1.2% against its major counterparts. It lost twice that much - four and a quarter cents - to the pound, which was the leader of the bunch.

Part of the Aussie's problem was home-grown: disappointing jobs data showed unemployment ticking up to 5.6%. Part was exogenous: a broadening of the US administration's protectionist tariffs to include China and the appointment of the bellicose John Bolton as National Security Advisor.

Looking back at the quarter, the Aussie dollar has had the occasional move higher but overall has slumped in value versus the US dollar and the pound. Consumer confidence figures were mixed, posting a slightly positive result in March after a 2.3% drop in February. Similarly retail sales offered a mixed bag of monthly results.

Looking ahead to Q2 the pound will continue to be driven by the ongoing negations between the UK and the EU, whilst the prospect of a May interest rate rise by the Bank of England may add some strength to the currency.

Similarly the ongoing tensions between the US and China in relation to trade and tariffs will likely have a continued effect on commodity backed currencies.

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When it comes to investing, there are various investment methods available to build and maintain wealth over the long-term. For example, depending on your circumstances, you may invest directly (e.g. share portfolio), indirectly (e.g. managed fund), or a combination of these.

Managed funds are professionally managed investment vehicles that allow investors to pool their money together to invest. They may differ in the way they invest (e.g. asset allocation, investment philosophy, risk tolerance and investment time horizon) and the fees and charges attached to them can differ.

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There are still a lot of people who don’t know about Scoot, the last I heard it had been taken over by Singapore Airlines and is their budget carrier. The good news is you can score flights to Europe for $319 at numerous times of the year. They also do business class fares for $999 although I wouldn’t expect flat bed seats or free champagne but if your budget is low and you want to get back to see family I don’t think the $319 is bad if you can find a cheap connection flight from Athens to the UK.